How Would The Middle-Ages Smell?

[AB Editor]

The assumption is that the middle-ages would absolutely reek of muck, ammonia and general rot - as this is how the world appears on TV and in film.

But would it really?

Would anyone care to share their thoughts of how the middle ages might have smelt?

[tonyav]

Or Sparkbrook.

[Lindylou]

Not sure about the middle ages. But in the late fifties/early sixties I can remember sitting on a bus behind someone who's collar and the back of his coat was THICK, thick, with dandruff. Euggg!! And oftentimes I would have to stand (not necessary on the same bus route) being absolutely gassed by the aroma of someone who obviously hadn't had a bath/shower in the previous year. I have to say that watching so called period dramas I always think - oh no, everything/body is much too clean. It really wasn't like that. Cars were never washed. Neither were people. And teeth!! don't get me started!!

[woofgang]

I don't think it would smell that bad to them. People do tend to stop noticing (maybe even stop being able to smell) odours that are around them all the time. Smells also have connotations which are so ingrained in us that we can like or dislike the smell based on the connotations, not on the actual smell. For many years I travelled on oil tankers, in and out of refineries all around the world. To most people the smell is a stink and they would hate it, but to me it was the smell of home because that is where I spent 2/3 of my time and I enjoyed it. Conversely the smell of sourmash bourbon and rye bread make me heave. My sister loves rye sourdough and to her it smells delicious.